4-H volunteers teach children how to grow a garden

Published: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:53 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:53 a.m.

"We need to make sure that no boy or girl in America is growing up without having in his or her life the presence of a responsible, caring adult." — Gen. Colin L. Powell.

Facts

Denise Sherrill is the 4-H agent for Henderson County. 4-H is the Youth Development Program of NC Cooperative Extension, which is a division of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NCSU. Call 697- 4891 or e-mail Denise_Sherrill@ncsu.edu to learn more about 4-H activities or endowments.

Tony Slovacek was the grandfather of 4-H Mini-Gardening and Creative Gardening in Henderson County. In these contests, garden volunteers teach children, ages 9–18, how to grow a garden, then they visit the gardens twice during the summer to judge, offer advice, and read the garden journals.

Along with other Master Gardeners, Slovacek worked with these programs for over 10 years. He liked to scope out all of the participants' garden locations before the first official visit from the Master Gardeners. Every year this meant driving all over the county.

When he visited each garden, Slovacek asked all about the child, not just his or her garden. Slovacek was an encourager and he wanted all of the children to succeed. He always found something to joke about with the kids and their parents.

Jacob Bryant, age 16, who participated in 4-H Mini-Gardening and Creative Gardening for several years says this about "Mr. Tony" — "I always liked the stories that he told and the advice he gave us about gardening, vegetables, and life itself."

Slovacek loved the kids and they loved him. Lindsey Bryant, age 11, says, "Mr. Tony was a friend to me because he was always interested in what I did, and he always had a smile on his face."

Slovacek enjoyed staying in touch with the families as the children grew older. Upon his death in October, 4-H families learned that he was a decorated military hero. Tony Slovacek was also a hero to many children in Henderson County, a positive caring adult in their lives.

Would you like to give your time to help children develop skills that will help them throughout their lives? Henderson County 4-H is dependent on volunteers like Tony Slovacek to provide classes, contests and 4-H clubs for children. Volunteer opportunities can be short, one-time experiences, or on-going. Some of these volunteers are Master Gardeners, who are trained by Horticulture Agent Kerrie Roach.

Many sewing teachers are needed to provide one-one-one supervision for children to learn to make their own garments. Volunteers help sort and deliver quail eggs to second grade classes for 4-H Embryology.

Adults who would love to teach children about their career or hobby are always welcome. What if your area of expertise is organizing, taking pictures or keeping up with email? 4-H leaders would welcome your help with their clubs.

Youth Council

Applications are now being accepted for a leader to work with the Henderson County Youth Council. The purposes of the Youth Council include learning about local government and providing a way for teens to have a voice in the community.

Leaders oversee the activities of the Youth Council. We are also asking local citizens to work with us to recruit potential youth to serve on the Youth Council. Candidates should be high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors this year. Applications are due by Jan. 31. Visit the 4-H website at the bottom of this column for more information.

4-H Bake-Off winners

Volunteers with the Mills River Community Development Association hosted the 4-H Breakfast Bake-Off on Nov. 10. The grand prize was donated by Mills River Business Association.

Denise Sherrill is the 4-H Agent for Henderson County. 4-H is the Youth Development Program of NC Cooperative Extension, which is a division of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NCSU. Visit http://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/4-H, call 697-4891 or email Denise_Sherrill@ncsu.edu to learn more about 4-H activities or endowments.

<p>"We need to make sure that no boy or girl in America is growing up without having in his or her life the presence of a responsible, caring adult." — Gen. Colin L. Powell.</p><p>Tony Slovacek was the grandfather of 4-H Mini-Gardening and Creative Gardening in Henderson County. In these contests, garden volunteers teach children, ages 9–18, how to grow a garden, then they visit the gardens twice during the summer to judge, offer advice, and read the garden journals.</p><p>Along with other Master Gardeners, Slovacek worked with these programs for over 10 years. He liked to scope out all of the participants' garden locations before the first official visit from the Master Gardeners. Every year this meant driving all over the county. </p><p>When he visited each garden, Slovacek asked all about the child, not just his or her garden. Slovacek was an encourager and he wanted all of the children to succeed. He always found something to joke about with the kids and their parents. </p><p>Jacob Bryant, age 16, who participated in 4-H Mini-Gardening and Creative Gardening for several years says this about "Mr. Tony" — "I always liked the stories that he told and the advice he gave us about gardening, vegetables, and life itself." </p><p>Slovacek loved the kids and they loved him. Lindsey Bryant, age 11, says, "Mr. Tony was a friend to me because he was always interested in what I did, and he always had a smile on his face." </p><p>Slovacek enjoyed staying in touch with the families as the children grew older. Upon his death in October, 4-H families learned that he was a decorated military hero. Tony Slovacek was also a hero to many children in Henderson County, a positive caring adult in their lives. </p><p>Would you like to give your time to help children develop skills that will help them throughout their lives? Henderson County 4-H is dependent on volunteers like Tony Slovacek to provide classes, contests and 4-H clubs for children. Volunteer opportunities can be short, one-time experiences, or on-going. Some of these volunteers are Master Gardeners, who are trained by Horticulture Agent Kerrie Roach. </p><p>Many sewing teachers are needed to provide one-one-one supervision for children to learn to make their own garments. Volunteers help sort and deliver quail eggs to second grade classes for 4-H Embryology. </p><p>Adults who would love to teach children about their career or hobby are always welcome. What if your area of expertise is organizing, taking pictures or keeping up with email? 4-H leaders would welcome your help with their clubs.</p><p>Youth Council</p><p>Applications are now being accepted for a leader to work with the Henderson County Youth Council. The purposes of the Youth Council include learning about local government and providing a way for teens to have a voice in the community. </p><p>Leaders oversee the activities of the Youth Council. We are also asking local citizens to work with us to recruit potential youth to serve on the Youth Council. Candidates should be high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors this year. Applications are due by Jan. 31. Visit the 4-H website at the bottom of this column for more information.</p><p>4-H Bake-Off winners</p><p>Volunteers with the Mills River Community Development Association hosted the 4-H Breakfast Bake-Off on Nov. 10. The grand prize was donated by Mills River Business Association. </p><p>Judges were: Mayor Roger Snyder, Sherri Hill, Barbara Moore, Kyra Phillips and Chef Sergio Vasquez. </p><p>The winners are: Juniors, ages 9–13, first place, Ella Anders-Christmas Morning Coffee Cake; second place, Zachary Hutcher-Lemon Squares; third place, Christopher Branche-Mini Chocolate Chip Coffee Crumb Cake; seniors, ages 14 – 18, first place, Drue Stinnett-Pecan Topped Pumpkin Bread; second place, Rachel Hutcher-Best Coffee Cake Ever; third place, Jacob Bryant-Easy Bacon and Cheese Quiche.</p><p>Drue Stinnett was also the grand prize winner and "public favorite" winner. Visit the 4-H website for the grand prize recipe, Pecan Topped Pumpkin Bread.</p><p>Denise Sherrill is the 4-H Agent for Henderson County. 4-H is the Youth Development Program of NC Cooperative Extension, which is a division of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NCSU. Visit http://henderson.ces.ncsu.edu/4-H, call 697-4891 or email Denise_Sherrill@ncsu.edu to learn more about 4-H activities or endowments.</p>